A monthly retainer works best when both sides know what the fee covers. The purpose of a scope document is to make delivery predictable: what gets done, when the client responds, and how new work is approved.

This page is a working template for a small digital agency. Have the final agreement reviewed for your business and jurisdiction before using it as a contract.

Start with the outcome

Describe the business goal in one sentence, then list the services that support it. Avoid promising a ranking, a lead count or a sales result that the agency cannot control. Specify the outputs and the work that will be performed.

Copy this scope worksheet

  • Client and agency: [Legal names]
  • Service period: [Start date, end or renewal terms]
  • Monthly fee and billing terms: [As agreed separately in the contract]
  • Primary client contact: [Name]
  • Agency owner: [Name]
  • Goal: [Business outcome and measurement source]
Service Included work Monthly quantity or limit Delivery date Approval owner
Reporting [Sources, metrics, commentary] [One report] [Date] [Name]
Content [Brief, draft, edits] [Number and length range] [Dates] [Name]
Meetings [Review and planning] [Number and duration] [Dates] [Name]
  • Client inputs required: [Access, assets, facts, approvals and due dates.]
  • Excluded work: [Examples that are outside the fee.]
  • Review process: [Where feedback goes, approver, response period and included revisions.]
  • Reporting: [Format, frequency, source of truth and known limitations.]
  • Change request process: [Who estimates and who authorizes additional work.]

Make limits understandable

“Four social posts” is clearer than “ongoing social support,” but still leaves questions. State whether research, design, scheduling, revisions and community management are included. Define how unused capacity is handled, if applicable. Document the agreed process for late inputs in line with the applicable contract; do not assume an automatic extension or fee.

Handle a new request

Log the request, check whether it falls inside the agreed work and show the effect on cost or schedule. For example: “A fifth landing page is outside the two pages included this month. We can quote it separately or substitute it for a planned page if you approve the change.” Record the client's decision before work starts.

Review the scope monthly

Compare planned and completed work, reasons for delays and hours spent on exceptions. Discuss changes for the next period instead of letting a temporary favor become an assumed permanent service. Use the client reporting checklist to document progress.

Editorial notes — remove before publication

This is a scope worksheet, not a legal contract. Verify internal links and have actual terms checked before use.